Battery holster



S. MURRAY BATTERY HOLSTER Aug. 10, 1937.

Filed Aug. 29, 1955 ATTO NEYS Fatented Aug. 10, 1937 STATE Zfithitil arsnr BATTERY HOLSTER Application August 29, 1935, Serial No. 38,364

1 Claim.

This invention relates to holsters for carrying articles on the person, and has particular reference to a holster for carrying the battery or" a hearing aid device, although the invention is not limited to that use.

Hearing aid devices usually comprise three elements interconnected by electrical cords, namely, the microphone, the receiver, and the battery, which may also carry an amplifier. The receiver is usually carried by a headband or is supported in the ear, the microphone is suitably clipped to the clothing of the wearer, but the battery, being the bulkier and heavier of the three items, is difficult to dispose conveniently and comfortably in the clothing. A man has less difficulty with carrying the battery than does a woman because he can place it in a pocket. Women have adopted the practice of providing a special pocket in the under or outer clothing but, because the battery is bulky, it is readily visible, and creates an unattractive bulge of the clothing.

In accordance with the present invention, a holster for carrying the battery of a hearing aid device is provided which is especially adapted for women users and which is so constructed and positioned on the person that it is practically invisible, creates no strain because of its weight, and does not interfere with the proper functioning of the device.

The preferred embodiment of the battery holster of this invention comprises a pouch for the battery secured to the side of a band encircling the body of the wearer between the waist and armpits, so that the battery is concealed beneath the arm. The body band is supported by shoulder straps and the weight of the battery is largely borne by diagonal tension strips connected at one end to the pouch and at the other end to the front and rear sections of the adja cent shoulder strap. The shoulder straps may be provided with conventional buckles for changing their length to adjust the height of the band and, in order that the balanced position of the battery is not disturbed by adjustment of the shoulder straps, one of the tension members is secured at one end to the corresponding shoulder strap buckle, whereby the length of those portions of the shoulder straps between the strip attachment and the band are not altered in length during the shoulder strap. adjustment. A buckle, clasp or the like secures the ends of the body band together so that it may be readily connected or disconnected.

It will be seen that with the battery holster, of this invention, the heavy and bulky battery of a hearing aid device may be conveniently and comfortably carried in a concealed position on the person in such a way that the normal operation of the device is not impaired.

For a more complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates the battery holster of this invention as applied to the person of a wearer; and

Fig. 2 illustrates the holster in enlarged perspective.

In the drawing, numeral It designates a body band adapted to encircle the bust of the wearer immediately beneath the armpits and preferably comprising a fabricated strap of silk or the like connectible at its ends by inserting hook l2 in one of the spaced eyelets i I, which are preferably located at the back of the user. Elastic gores i3 and M are interposed in the front and rear of the band ID to render it elastic, and a loop I5 encircles one end of the band under which a hook i2 may be passed when securing it in one of the inside eyelets H. Body band if: may also be formed of webbing or other suitable material, depending upon requirements.

Stitched or otherwise secured to the front and rear surfaces of the body band W are shoulder straps H3, the length of each of which is adjustably by a buckle H, which separates the shoulder strap into two parts and which is connected to the front part l8.

Stitched or otherwise secured to the side of the body band II] at a point under one of the arms of the wearer, such as the left arm, is a pouch l9, proportioned to accommodate a conventional battery of a hearing aid device, this pouch being formed of silk or other suitable material, depending upon requirements, and being so constructed that when a battery is inserted therein the battery lies fiat against the side of the body immediately beneath the arm and substantially concealed within the armpit of the wearer.

The front portion l8 of the shoulder strap adjacent the pouch I9 is extended downwardly from the corresponding buckle IT to form a front diagonal tension member 20, which is secured at its lower end 2| to the inner wall of the pouch I9 and to the underlying portion of the body band it]. The band forming the front tension member is preferably continued diagonally upwardly from 2| to the rear of the adjacent shoulder strap I8 and is secured at its end thereto to form the rear tension member 22. Obviously, instead of forming members [8, 20 and 22 from one strip, they may be made separate and stitched together, if desired. 7

It Will be observed that the first tension member 20, being secured to the buckle H at its upper end is not disturbed by any adjustment ,of the length of shoulder strap l6, so that the battery i9 is always in the same position with respect to the body band l0 and the tension straps 2i] and 22, regardless of the degree of adjustment of the shoulder strap l6. Likewise, the portion of the shoulder strap l6, between the rear tension member 22 and the band [0 does not vary in length when the shoulder strap I6 is adjusted, with the same advantage.

In use, the wearer fastens the body band it about her body by inserting the hook l2 in the appropriate eyelet ii at her back and adjusts the shoulder straps Hi to a length which comfortably positions the battery in the pouch l9 under her arm. The electrical connections leading from the battery in the pouch l9 may be carried under the clothing to the microphone and receiver, those leading to the receiver being carried along the back or side of the neck to the ear or other location of the receiver.

While the invention illustrated and described herein is especially applicable to carrying batteries of hearing aid devices, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to that use but may be used for carrying other articles and is susceptible to changes in form and detail within its scope.

I claim:

In a holster for carrying a battery or other article, the combination of a band adapted to encircle the body approximately at the armpits of the wearer, a pouch secured to one side of the band for location under the arm of the wearer, shoulder straps composed of a plurality of parts connected at their ends to portions of the band normally worn in the front and back of the body, a buckle secured in each strap whereby the straps may be adjusted to various lengths, the shoulder strap nearest the pouch having one of its portions secured to said front portion of said band at its lower end and extending upwardly therefrom and passing through a lower part of the buckle in said shoulder strap, passing downwardly at an angle with respect to said upwardly extending part and secured again to said band in the vicinity of said pouch and again extending upwardly and at an angle and secured at its upwardly extending end to the other portion of said shoulder strap, whereby the two angularly extending portions comprise bracing strips of a fixed length adapted to support part of the weight of said pouch and relieve the band thereof, said shoulder strap being adapted to be freely adjusted with respect to said buckle without interfering with the fixed length of said bracing strips.

SYLVIA MURRAY. 

